Ethics in Health and Social Care Practice

Course Overview

This module is designed for health and social care professionals who want to deepen their understanding of ethics in UK healthcare practice. It offers a student-centred approach to exploring how ethical principles—such as autonomy, justice, beneficence, non-maleficence, and confidentiality—apply to real-world clinical decision-making. You’ll critically examine ethical frameworks, including those outlined by professional bodies such as the NMC, HCPC and reflect on how these guide communication, consent, safeguarding, and professional accountability. Through case-based learning, reflective practice, and collaborative discussion, you’ll develop the confidence to navigate ethically complex situations and apply ethical reasoning to your own professional context.

• Defining Ethics in Healthcare
• Navigating Ethical Dilemmas
• Applying the Principle-Based Approach
• Using Ethical Theories in Decision-Making

This is a work-based learning module. Students will undertake learning within their employed place of work. Academic supervision is provided at the request of the student – up to 50 minutes per month for the duration of the module. Action learning sets are offered as one 90 minute session per month.

Why Choose This Course?

Programme Benefits

By the end of the module the student should be able to:

  1. Critically discuss theories (for example, Utilitarianism, Deontology, Virtue Ethics, Principle based Approach) relevant to own Health and Social care practice.
  2. Critically reflect on ethical dilemmas pertinent to practice within health and social care.
  3. Critically appraise the effectiveness of one ethical theory as a framework for decision making in relation to the ethical dilemma within own Health and Social Care Practice.
  4. Set and achieve one ethics-related learning outcome that aligns with their personal development and future healthcare practice.

This Course Is Designed For...

Health and Social Care Professionals.

This optional module is available for students on the MSc Enhanced Professional Practice, PGCert Enhanced Professional Practice and PGDip Enhanced Professional Practice. It is also available as a standalone module to students who are interested in understanding ethics within their professional practice.

Meet Your Lecturers

Elaine Jones

Entry Requirements

This optional module is available for students on the MSc Enhanced Professional Practice, PGCert Enhanced Professional Practice and PGDip Enhanced Professional Practice. It is also available as a standalone module to students who are interested in understanding ethics within their professional practice.

How To Apply

Applications should be submitted online.